Rivian halts development of $5B Georgia EV factory

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Electric vehicle maker Rivian announces plans to halt construction of a $5 billion vehicle and battery plant in Georgia due to financial troubles and legal battles over state incentives, and instead will focus on development of a new electric SUV in Illinois. (Associated Press, Quartz)

CLIMATE:

• A Texas energy company acknowledges its power poles likely sparked the largest wildfire in state history, though denies it was negligent in maintaining its facilities. (Texas Tribune)
• Critics say the Texas wildfires expose the shortcomings of state rules that require utilities to prepare for extreme weather and emergencies. (Texas Tribune)
• Scientists warn similar wildfires will become more frequent due to climate change. (CNN)

OIL & GAS:

• A gas company asks West Virginia regulators to approve an air permit to build the world’s largest plant to make ammonia using nitrogen gas. (Oil and Gas Watch)
• Tennessee residents organize against the Tennessee Valley Authority’s plans to build a proposed natural gas-fired power plant and 35 new miles of power lines around it. (WTVF)
• Entergy asks Louisiana regulators to approve its plans for a 112 MW natural gas-fired power plant to be built on a floating barge across from an electrical substation. (Power Engineering)
• Activists from Louisiana and elsewhere rally against insurance companies to encourage them to stop underwriting fossil fuel projects. (Inside Climate News)

SOLAR:

• Texas and California lead a spike in solar development, marking the first time since World War II’s hydropower boom that a renewable power source has made up more than half of energy additions in the U.S. (Grist)
• Solar panels are used to provide shade for an open-air pavilion with basketball courts at a Florida park. (Yale Climate Connections)
• An Oklahoma food bank installs a solar array to provide about half of its energy use. (KOCO)
• Texas residents sue to block a solar farm from beginning certain construction activities until it obtains permits and stormwater approval. (KABB)

NUCLEAR: Virginia lawmakers approve bills to allow Appalachian Power and Dominion Energy to seek approval to bill customers for the costs of developing small modular nuclear reactors. (Cardinal News)

COAL:

• West Virginia lawmakers hear a company’s plans to convert a coal plant to develop coal into graphite and a hydrogen byproduct that will be used to generate power. (West Virginia Public Broadcasting)
• The United Mine Workers come out in opposition to a proposed landfill on a former coal prep plant associated with the 1989-90 Pittston coal strike. (Cardinal News)

EMISSIONS:

• A study shows how air pollution pushes down North Carolina students’ academic performance, but suggests replacing diesel buses with electric school buses can help. (WRAL)
• Virginia regulators cite a plant that manufactures heavy duty trucks for air pollution violations. (Roanoke Times)

COMMENTARY: A Tennessee county’s approval of a 12 MW solar facility, its third, will enable the county to keep pace with the energy transition and remain economically competitive, writes an editorial board. (Johnson City Press)